Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrived in Australia on Tuesday for a four-day tour that includes both charitable and commercial engagements. The visit marks their first return to the country since 2018, when they were still working members of the British royal family.
The couple began their trip at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, where they met with patients, staff, and families. Harry, dressed in a navy suit, and Meghan, wearing a navy dress by Australian designer Karen Gee, spent time in the hospital's therapeutic garden spaces and the Adolescent Oncology and Rehabilitation ward. Meghan later visited a women's domestic violence shelter, where she served food to residents.
The Sussexes' visit is privately funded, and they arrived in Melbourne on a commercial Qantas flight from Los Angeles. Unlike their 2018 tour, this visit does not include public walkabouts, and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, did not accompany them. The couple's itinerary also includes events supporting military veterans and mental health initiatives, as well as a ticketed wellness retreat led by Meghan in Sydney.
The visit has sparked some public debate, particularly regarding the cost of security for the couple's engagements. Australian taxpayers are expected to cover some of the policing costs, which has led to a petition calling for the Sussexes to bear the full financial burden. Despite this, the couple has received a warm reception at their first event, with patients and staff at the hospital expressing gratitude for their visit.
Meghan's fashion choices during the tour have also drawn attention. She wore a navy dress by Karen Gee, priced at approximately $1,250, and accessorized with designer items, including a Cartier watch believed to have belonged to Princess Diana. The couple's outfits included pieces from Australian designers, reflecting a focus on local fashion.
The Sussexes' visit is described as 'quasi-royal,' blending charitable work with commercial activities. Harry is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a psychosocial safety summit, while Meghan will lead a wellness retreat. The tour concludes with events in Sydney, including a gala dinner where attendees can meet Meghan for a fee.